Baseball cap with modified brim

ABSTRACT

A baseball cap having a modified brim that includes a rigid main visor and two rigid side panels that can be in a nested position within the rigid main visor or in an extended position outside of the rigid main visor, and a mechanism that permanently secures the two rigid side panels to the baseball cap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a baseball cap having a brim with a main visor of rigid material and two extendable/retractable side panels. Both side panels are positioned within the main visor at side openings thereof. The side panels are slideably mounted within the brim. The side panels can be extended beyond the sides of the main visor to provide a variable surface area for covering or shading purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baseball caps having modified brims are known in the prior art. Various embodiments of modified brims for caps are described below.

US Published Patent Application 20090290120 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,693 (both to Abraham) relate to focus enhancing blinders for usage in sporting activities and other activities that require visual focus and concentration. Blinders are affixed to a headband or cap worn by the user, and extend to the areas on the outside of each eye, functioning to block off a previously-determined degree of peripheral vision. In another mode, blinders are affixed to an article of eyewear worn by the user, and again extend to the areas on the outside of each eye. Blinders may be of a length of one to four inches and can be hingedly attached to the inside of the blinders and outside of the cap, or in the alternative, on the outside of the blinders and inside of the cap.

US Published Patent Application 2009/0126062 (Bengochea) relates to a training helmet for baseball. An extendable panel is positioned on each side of the helmet. Each panel is slideably mounted in a hollow case or sheath attached to the ear flap and extends forward from the ear flap at eye level. The panel is extendable in discrete increments, preferably to three different lengths, to offer a greater or lesser degree of restriction of the batter's field of vision according to the batter's skill level. In order to accomplish incremental extension, the panel has a resilient tab or button that locks into one of a plurality of slots defined in the case to lock the panel at the desired length.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,266 (Lazarus) relates to a guard for headgear, the guard including a transparent guard member and releasable attachment means in the form of a spring clip to attach the guard to extend downwardly from the headgear, wherein the guard member is pivotable about an edge, such as a peak, of the headgear.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,218 (Chen) relates to a hat device which has a main body, and a fixed peak disposed on a front portion of the main body. An extensible visor has two lateral elastic plates, two grooves, and a blocking flange. The fixed peak has a slot and a periphery flange. The extensible visor is inserted in the slot of the fixed peak.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,371 (Lee) discloses a cap with adjustable side visors wherein the cap has a main body portion

conforming to one's head, a rear adjustable strap and a forward extending curved main visor. A pair of spaced side visors are disposed on opposite sides of the main visor extending downwardly therefrom. Each side visor has a flap pivotally mounted thereto which is movable from a first position disposed within the respective side visor to a second position extending downwardly therefrom to vary the shading desired by the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,125 (Chen) relates to a cap with adjustable side visors is disclosed having a main body portion conforming to one's head, a rear adjustable strap and a forward extending curved main visor. A pair of spaced side visors are disposed on opposite sides of the main visor extending downwardly therefrom. Each side visor has a flap pivotally mounted thereto which is movable from a first position disposed within the respective side visor to a second position extending downwardly therefrom to vary the shading desired by the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,830 (Pflum) discloses a visor for use either as a brim component for a hat or cap, or for use merely attached to a headband or sweatband worn around the head of the wearer, which brim is both retractable/extendable and is also swivelable/rotatable around the circumference of the head of the wearer, with the position of the extended or unextended visor being held in place by a unique construction taking advantage of the friction of the mating surfaces of the layers of the visor assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,915 (Schneider) relates to a removable cap visor extension having an extension unit with an curved mating edge that mates flush with the lower edge of a cap's hemispherical shell. The extension unit attaches to the permanent visor of a cap or hat either by sliding the visor through slots in the extension unit or by clasping the extension unit to a cap's visor with fasteners.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,150 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,898 (Bedient) relates to a cap with a movable brim. The movable brim is fitted with a pair of ears, that engage rivets or stitches placed through an upper and lower brim, which are placed around the movable brim. The upper and lower brims are fastened together at their ends with a single row of stitches. The front of the brims is not closed, to permit removal of the movable brim. The ears contact the rivets or the stitches as the brim is extended, thereby preventing the movable brim from being removed. A method of construction using a jig to hold the brims prior to sewing is also disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,110 (Gilbert) relates to visors for a cap or headpiece. A focus vision visor in the form of one or more blinders depends vertically from the visor, so as to limit peripheral vision. The blinders in the non-use storage mode may be secured to the underside of the visor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,708 (Troiano) relates to a golf hat including a pair of side visors wherein the visors are locked in place by velcro closures when not in use.

U.S. D499231 (Toppel) relates to an ornamental design for a cap with an extendable bill.

None of the above-described references, taken either alone or in combination, serve to anticipate the present invention as herein disclosed and claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a baseball cap having a modified brim. The modified brim includes a rigid main visor and extendable/retractable side panels located on each side of the rigid main visor. The side panels are mounted within the rigid main visor to allow variable adjustment of the surface area of the brim. The baseball cap includes a first side panel and a second side panel wherein each panel is non-pivotally mounted within the rigid main visor of the brim.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the modified brim is utilized to provide a hat or cap that has a brim that is extendable in width. Variable shading can then be provided to the wearer of the hat or cap. These and other features of the present invention will be further described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a modified brim of the present invention. The modified brim includes extendable/retractable side panels, with the side panels shown in a fully retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a modified brim of the present invention. The modified brim includes extendable/retractable side panels, with the side panels shown in the fully extended position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a baseball cap including a modified brim having a rigid main visor and extendable/retractable side panels located on each side of the rigid main visor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a brim including a rigid main visor wherein the main visor has a front edge, two side edges and a back edge. Each of the two side edges includes a side slot section including an open cavity having at least one stopping device. Each side slot section is constructed to receive a rigid extendable/retractable side panel. Each side slot further includes at least one stopping device, the stopping device being permanently attached to the rigid main visor. The two extendable/retractable rigid side panels include elongated apertures for receiving the stopping devices. In an embodiment, each rigid side panel includes two elongated apertures, wherein each elongated aperture receives a stopping device.

Each rigid side panel further includes a raised tab at a proximal end thereof, the proximal end being the end that can be grabbed by a hand when the rigid side panel is in a nested position within the open cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the raised tab is integral with the rigid side panel and is about twice the thickness of the rigid side panel for ease of grabbing by the hand. The two rigid side panels are slideably nested within the two side slot sections of the main visor. The two rigid side panels have an extended position. The extended position is achieved by grabbing the raised tab sections and pulling outwardly, causing the two rigid side panels to be moved from the nested position to the extended position. The rigid side panels are prevented from being completely removed from the rigid main visor by the stopping devices.

The back edge of the rigid main visor can be attached to a generally dome shaped shell which fits over the upper portion of the head of a wearer. A baseball cap having a modified bill is thus achieved. In an embodiment, the generally dome shaped shell is of a mesh construction. In an alternative embodiment, the back edge of the rigid main visor can be attached to a sweatband or the like.

In an embodiment, the rigid main visor extends from the generally dome shaped shell for a distance of about 3 inches to about 6 inches. It is within the scope of the present invention to have rigid main visors with a length shorter than about 3 inches or longer than about 6 inches.

In an embodiment, the side slot section is about 2½ inches to about 4½ inches in length as measured along the side edge of the rigid main visor. The two rigid side panels are about 2½ inches to about 4½ inches in length. Whatever measurement is employed, preferably, each rigid side panel fits snugly into each side slot section. It is within the scope of the present invention to have side slot sections and rigid side panels shorter than about 2½ inches or longer than about 4½ inches.

The stopping device includes a generally cylindrical peg having a diameter of about ¼ inch to about ¾ inch; and preferably about ½ inch. The elongated aperture has a width of about ¼ inch to about ¾ inch; and preferably about ½ inch. The elongated aperture has a length of about 1 and 2/8 inches to about 2 inches; and preferably about 1 and ⅝ inches. Whatever measurements are employed, each stopping device fits slideably into each elongated aperture so that the elongated aperture, and ultimately each rigid side panel is movable with respect to the stationary stopping device. The stopping device is stationary with respect to the rigid main visor. Preferably, each rigid side panel includes two elongated apertures; and each elongated aperture receives a stopping device to obtain a slideable relationship between the elongated aperture and the stationary stopping device.

In an embodiment, the two rigid side panels can be extended from the two side edges of the rigid main visor for a distance of about 1 inch to about 2 inches. It is within the scope of the present invention to extend the rigid side panels shorter than about 1 inch or longer than about 2 inches.

The two rigid side panels can be decorated with a team logo so that the logo is fully visible only when the rigid side panels are in the extended position. In an alternative embodiment, the two rigid side panels can be decorated with an advertising scheme. The advertising scheme is fully visible only when the rigid side panels are in the extended position.

In an embodiment, the two rigid side panels are constructed of a material that can be an opaque material or a transparent material. The rigid main visor can also be constructed of a material that can be an opaque material or a transparent material.

The present invention further relates to a baseball cap having a brim with extendable/retractable side panels to provide variable surface area. The brim is integrally attached to a dome portion that covers the top of the head of a wearer. The brim has a variably adjustable width. The brim includes a first side panel, a second side panel and a main visor. The first side panel includes a first raised tab at the proximal end thereof for grabbing by a hand; and the second side panel includes a second raised tab at the proximal end thereof for grabbing by the hand. The proximal end is the end that can be grabbed by the hand when the side panel is in a nested position. The first and second side panels are non-pivotally mounted within the main visor panel. Further, the first and second side panels are movable between the nested position in which the panels are nested within the main visor panel, and an extended position in which the panels are extended from the main visor panel.

The baseball cap further includes a mechanism that allows the first and second rigid side panels to be extended and retracted in relation to the rigid main visor. In an embodiment, the mechanism includes an elongated aperture that can act as a guide. The rigid side panel includes the elongated aperture. A rivet extends through the main visor and passes through the elongated aperture. The rivet slideably fits within the elongated aperture. The rigid side panel slides along the rivet by means of the elongated aperture.

The modified brim of the present invention provides for a secure attachment of extendable/retractable side panels to a baseball cap. Prior art attaches modifications to either the top or the bottom of the brim, or the dome of the hat. These less secure attachments cause possible failure of the attachments, as well as detracting from the aesthetic appearance of the baseball cap. The present invention provides a simple, clean baseball cap that looks and feels generally like an original baseball cap without any modifications. The present invention further provides a baseball cap having securely and permanently attached extendable/retractable side panels. The wearer of the cap can firmly grasp the bill of the cap for adjustment of the cap on the head, or for removal, without the worry of knocking off or interfering with an attachment to the cap.

Referring to FIG. 1, the drawing is a representation of a modified brim 1 of the present invention as viewed from the top of the brim. The modified brim 1 can be integrally attached to a dome portion of a cap or hat (not shown). By dome portion is meant the part of the cap or hat that covers the top of the head, including the crown of the head. The modified brim 1 includes a main visor portion 2. The main visor portion 2 can be formed from two separate identical pieces of rigid material such as a thermoplastic or cardboard. The rigid material can be covered with a cloth covering that can be stitched together at the front and the back, but left unstitched at the sides for later insertion of the side panels 3. The side panels 3, depicted in FIG. 1 in their nesting position, are positioned between the two separate pieces of rigid material. Raised tabs 6 are at the ends of side panels 3. The side panels 3 are extended as by gripping of the raised tabs 6 and pulling outwardly from the main visor portion 2. By raised is meant that the tabs 6 are of a thickness greater than the thickness of the side panels 3 to allow for ease of gripping by a human hand. When the side panels 3 are extended as by pulling outwardly by the hand, then the side panels 3 are prevented from being removed from the modified brim 1 as by stopping devices 4. Stopping devices 4 can be stationary rivets or the like. Side panels 3 further include elongated apertures 5. The elongated apertures 5 allow the side panels 3 to be extended from their nesting position in the modified brim 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drawing is a representation of a modified brim 1 of the present invention as viewed from the top of the brim. The modified brim 1 can be integrally attached to a dome portion of a cap or hat (not shown). By dome portion is meant the part of the cap or hat that covers the top of the head, including the crown of the head. The modified brim 1 includes a main visor portion 2. The main visor portion 2 can be formed from two separate identical pieces of rigid material such as a thermoplastic or cardboard. The rigid material can be covered with a cloth covering can be stitched together at the front and the back, but left unstitched at the sides for later insertion of the side panels 3. The side panels 3 are positioned between the two separate pieces of rigid material. Raised tabs 6 are at the ends of side panels 3. The side panels 3 are depicted in FIG. 2 in their extended position. By raised is meant that the tabs 6 are of a thickness greater than the thickness of the side panels 3 to allow for ease of gripping by a human hand. An internal view of only one of the side panels 3 is presented in FIG. 2. This internal view depicts a side panel 3 including elongated apertures 5. Stop blocks 4, which can be stationary'rivets or the like, cooperate with the elongated apertures 5 to prevent complete removal of the side panels 3 from the main visor portion 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the drawing is a side-view representation of a baseball cap 8 having a dome portion 7 and a modified brim including a main visor 2 and extendable/retractable side panels 3 (only one side panel visible). The side panel 3 which is visible from the side-view is in the fully extended position. The side panels 3 further include raised tabs 6 (only one raised tab visible). The side panels 3 are not extended from the top of the brim nor from the bottom of the brim, but from a nested position within the brim itself. This situation can be obtained in a variety of designs. In an embodiment, the main visor 2 of the modified brim is generally thicker than a normal brim on a baseball cap, the main visor 2 having a front edge, a back edge and two side edges. The back edge of the main visor 2 is attached to the dome portion 7. The attachment means can be a stitching material, a sewing material, an adhesive material or the like. The two side edges of the main visor 2 include side slot sections for receiving the movable side panels 3. The movable side panels 3 further include elongated apertures (not shown) for receiving stopping devices (not shown) positioned within the side slot sections. Each side slot section includes an open cavity having at least one stopping device In a preferred embodiment, each side slot section includes an open cavity having two stopping devices; and each movable side panel 3 includes two elongated apertures for receiving the stopping devices. When the side panels are either extended or retracted, the elongated apertures slide past the stopping devices until the ends of the elongated apertures rest against the stopping devices.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, except as defined by the following claims. 

1. A brim comprising: a rigid main visor wherein the main visor has a front edge, two side edges and a back edge; wherein each side edge includes a side slot section for receiving a side panel, the side slot section comprising an open cavity having at least one stopping device, the stopping device permanently attached to the rigid main visor; two extendable/retractable rigid side panels, wherein each rigid side panel includes at least one elongated aperture for receiving the at least one stopping device; wherein each rigid side panel further includes a raised tab at a proximal end thereof, the proximal end being the end that can be grabbed by a hand when the rigid side panel is in a nested position within the open cavity; wherein the two rigid side panels are slideably nested within the two side slot sections; wherein the two rigid side panels have an extended position when removed from the nested position in the open cavity as by grabbing the tab sections and pulling outwardly; and wherein each rigid side panel is prevented from being completely removed from the rigid main visor by the at least one stopping device.
 2. The brim according to claim 1 wherein the back edge of the rigid main visor can be attached to a generally dome shaped shell which fits over the upper portion of the head of a wearer.
 3. The brim according to claim 2 wherein the rigid main visor extends from the generally dome shaped shell for a distance of about 3 inches to about 6 inches.
 4. The brim according to claim 1 wherein the side slot section is about 2½ inches to about 4½ inches in length as measured along the side edge of the rigid main visor.
 5. The brim according to claim 1 wherein the two rigid side panels are about 2½ to about 4½ inches in length.
 6. The brim according to claim 1 wherein each rigid side panel fits snugly into each side slot section.
 7. The brim according to claim 1 wherein the at least one stopping device is a generally cylindrical peg having a diameter of about ½ inch.
 8. The brim according to claim 1 wherein the at least one elongated aperture is about ½ inch in width and about 1¼ inch in length.
 9. The brim according to claim 1 wherein the extended position of the two rigid side panels from the two side edges of the rigid main visor is about 1 inch to about 2 inches.
 10. The brim according to claim 1 wherein the two rigid side panels are decorated with a team logo.
 11. The brim according to claim 1 wherein the two rigid side panels are decorated with an advertising scheme.
 12. The brim according to claim 1 wherein the two rigid side panels are constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of an opaque material and a transparent material.
 13. The brim according to claim 1 wherein each rigid side panel includes two elongated apertures, wherein each elongated aperture is associated with a stopping device.
 14. A baseball cap having a brim with extendable/retractable side panels to provide variable surface area, the brim integrally attached to a dome portion that covers the top of the head; the brim having a variably adjustable width; the brim including a first side panel, a second side panel and a main visor; wherein the first side panel includes a first raised tab at the proximal end thereof for grabbing by a hand; and wherein the second side panel includes a second raised tab at the proximal end thereof for grabbing by the hand; wherein the proximal end is the end that can be grabbed by the hand when the side panel is in a nested position; wherein the first and second side panels are non-pivotally mounted within the main visor panel; wherein the first and second side panels are movable between the nested position in which the panels are nested within the main visor panel, and an extended position in which the panels are extended from the main visor panel.
 15. The baseball cap of claim 14 further comprising a mechanism that allows the first and second side panels to be extended and retracted in relation to the main visor.
 16. The baseball cap of claim 15 wherein the mechanism includes an elongated aperture that can act as a guide, wherein the elongated aperture is located within the side panel, and a rivet extending through the main visor and within the elongated aperture; wherein the side panel slides along the rivet by means of the elongated aperture. 